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Columbus County schedules May 19 budget workshop as finance staff warns of multimillion-dollar shortfall
Summary
County manager and finance director told commissioners the budget remains unbalanced and scheduled a May 19 workshop; staff reported lower-than-expected revenues and department-specific shortfalls, particularly in social services.
Columbus County commissioners approved a workshop for Monday, May 19, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to review the county's proposed budget, after county staff warned the board the budget remains far from balanced.
County Manager Eddie Madden told the board the budget must be submitted to the Local Government Commission after the board receives a draft and that staff would need the board's input in the weeks before the June 30 adoption deadline. "We have an obligation to submit our proposed budget to the local government commission on or about the nineteenth," Madden said.
Heather Woody, finance director, reported several revenue pressures and departmental timing issues. Woody said Social Services faces what she characterized as a multi-million-dollar shortfall for the remainder of the fiscal year, estimating a $3,000,000 deficit but expecting $1.5 million to $2 million to arrive. She told commissioners that at the end of March the county's bank balances were about $53,961,000 compared with roughly $57,000,307 at the same time last year.
Woody also outlined that some revenues and expenditures run a month behind, including court system receipts and department reimbursements. She warned that an upcoming large debt transfer for Viper radios, which exceeded $900,000, would affect the county's available balances and that commissioners should be cautious about spending for the remainder of the year.
The board voted to set the May 19 workshop; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
Ending: Staff said they will present an initial draft to the Local Government Commission and continue meetings with the board in the coming weeks; commissioners were advised that, if a balanced budget cannot be adopted by June 30, the board can adopt a continuing resolution to operate under the prior year's budget.
